Star date: 22nd January 2021

SIMPLE, PAINLESS AND SAFE – ALICE URGES EVERYONE TO GET THE JAB

Since march last year, elderly Salford resident, Alice Searle, has been documenting her time in 'Isolationland' for the Salford Star...the good, the bad and the lonely. This week, she finally received her vaccination in a safe, simple and painless way that has made her smile widely.

Here Alice recounts her experience and urges everyone eligible to get their jab..."It is the best way to get this virus out of our lives" she says.

Full details here...

On 13th March 2020, I went into isolation to protect myself from a new virus which was invading the world. Since then I have carefully followed the rules issued by the scientists to keep me safe and I have waited patiently and optimistically for the development of a vaccine which would save me from a nasty death. This is the same for many of you.   

Today, eleven months later, I have received that vaccination. I cannot explain how grateful and excited I feel to have got this. I want to share this experience with you so that, if you are worried about it, I can reassure you that it is a simple, painless and medically safe procedure.

My excitement started when I received an NHS letter explaining how I could book an appointment. A really efficient letter invited me to choose a centre to attend and then to decide a date and time to suit me. I chose the Manchester Sports Centre (Etihad) and an afternoon of the 20th January at 1.30pm. I also had to choose the dates and time for my second injection, to complete the process 12 weeks later. This booking was confirmed by return email, together with a registration number, a map and further guidance. All I had to do was sort out transport.

I was ready early for my son, who was transporting me. I was equipped with mask, NHS number, list of medication and my appointment number. I did not know which of the two vaccines I was to receive but on arrival I was told it was AstraZeneca, the vaccine developed by Oxford University in cooperation with the chemical firm AstraZeneca . This vaccine is easier to administer since it does not have to be kept at such low temperatures as the Pfizer BioNtec and also is cheaper for the NHS to purchase. 

The Sports Centre, off Turin Way, near the Etihad football ground, was well sign-posted with carpark attendants directing us to the large white NHS units. On entering we were met by cheerful staff who issued new masks, directed the use of sanitising gel and pointed us in the right direction.

If you have ever been on a plane and walked along corridors between tape, it was just the same. At intervals another smiling guide reassured us that we were going the right way. We met a number of computer operators along the way, each recording our personal details. We certainly wouldn't get lost. There were some elderly and disabled folk who took advantage of the available wheel chairs and also assistants.

Eventually we arrived at an area divided into small units each with two staff, a computer and a table with medical equipment. We were directed individually to a unit where our name and NHS number were checked again. These were the vaccination areas where medically trained and dressed staff waited to administer the vaccine.

They introduced themselves and explained what was to happen. Vaccination trays were delivered from a central unit as we arrived. It was very organised and I felt quite reassured.

My medical attendant was a young man training to be a paramedic. He was polite and answered any of my questions. Because I take a specific medicine I had been given a card explaining this, to pass to him. He said he was enjoying the work and told me that this week they would be completing 1,000 vaccinations. However, next week the centre would be opening up another space and planned to complete 2,000 vaccinations. 

When he did the injection in my upper arm he was gentle and efficient and I never felt anything at all; not even the prick. He explained that I may have an aching arm and feel tired for a few days but this would  soon be relieved with a couple of paracetamol. 

I was given my personal record card which I must have with me next time, more literature to read and shown my way out. The final computer featured comic faces asking me to tap the one I liked. I was very glad to tap the happy face because I enjoyed my experience. The whole event took approximately half an hour. 

So I hope this report will be reassuring for those of you waiting to be called and for those of you who are nervous about receiving the vaccination. Do please go for it.  It's for your safety and also to protect others. It takes such a short time, people have worked hard to develop the vaccine and it is the best way to get this virus out of our lives.

I assure you, 'you will not regret it'...

To read the series Alice In Salford Islolationland – click here for the first article, then click here for the last article and follow the links at the end     

Words by Alice Searle